Education of nursing profession amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A qualitative study

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic is the main challenge with which the education systems in the world have ever faced. Furthermore, nursing students and nurse educators have faced the challenges in the teaching-learning process. This study aimed to explain the experiences of nursing education amid COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This research was conducted in 2020-2021 through qualitative content analysis approach. Participants were selected from nursing schools using purposive sampling. Data were collected using in-depth, unstructured, and face-to-face interviews. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: 232 codes were generated which were grouped into four main categories, namely mandatory change in nursing education, change of training priorities of nurse educators, insufficient clinical competence, and opportunities during coronavirus outbreak. Conclusions: COVID-19 prevalence caused many unprecedented changes in nursing education. Such changes have brought about opportunities and challenges in nursing education.